Research Article

Analysis of changes in the concentration of Ca, P and Mg in blood serum of red deer (Cervus elaphus) immature males in farm breeding

Jarosław Kuba

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 13(2), 2014, 31‒40

Abstract. The aim of this work was to demonstrate the periods of the increased demand on Ca, P and Mg in immature males of red deer. In blood serum concentrations of Ca²⁺, inorganic P and Mg²⁺ were evaluated using a spectrophotometric method. In the first autumn of life the highest concentrations were observed at the levels of: Ca – 2.858 ± 0.62 mmol × l^-1; P – 2.617 ± 0.25 mmol × l^-1 and Mg – 0.878 ± 0.09 mmol × l^-1. In October the lowest concentration of Mg was noticed, reaching 0.584 ± 0.18 mmol × l^-1, while in case of Ca and P the lowest concentrations occurred in second November of life, with the values of 1.406 ± 0.19 mmol × l^-1 and 1.596 ± 0.28 mmol × l^-1 respectively. The results show the validity of mineral supplementation in red deer males in the period of entering puberty, mainly because of Ca–P–Mg expenses related to skeleton growth and development of first antler. Application of mineral supplements in summer should reduce the risk of decrease in skeleton growth rate caused by antler mineralization in autumn.

Keywords: farming, macroelements, males, red deer, season